Local ambulance service credits millage funds for new field blood program, reports response metrics

Shane Wheeler, chief executive officer of VMSC, delivered the emergency-service annual report to the Towamencin Board of Supervisors on March 12, saying the service provides EMS across 12 municipalities and highlighted operational metrics and new clinical capabilities supported in part by municipal millage funding.

Wheeler said VMSC ran 1,526 EMS responses in Towamencin last year and reported an average response time of 8 minutes and 23 seconds. He emphasized staffing challenges for paramedics nationwide and described a partnership with Jefferson Health to host a hybrid paramedic training program; 10 students entered and completed the program last year.

Wheeler described a new field whole-blood transfusion program that took about a year and a half of coordination with the American Red Cross, Jefferson Abington Hospital and local blood banks. He said equipment costs were approximately $50,000 and estimated the per-administration cost to the service at about $700. He added that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently approved field whole-blood transfusion as a reimbursable service, though Wheeler said reimbursement rates are unlikely to fully cover the cost.

"We identified last year approximately 145 patients we could have treated with blood," Wheeler said, noting the program is aimed at reducing mortality and improving prehospital care.

Wheeler thanked the township for an approximately $100,000 millage contribution and said the funding helped expand capabilities, including community programs such as car-seat installations and stop-the-bleed trainings. Board members and residents offered verbal thanks and a resident recounted a prior medical emergency where VMSC staff provided prompt care and respectful treatment.